What type of therapy does systematic desensitization belong to?

Systematic desensitization is a therapeutic technique that falls under the umbrella of behavioral therapy. This approach is primarily designed to help individuals overcome phobias and anxieties by gradually exposing them to the feared object or situation in a controlled and systematic manner. The process involves pairing relaxation techniques with the exposure to the anxiety-provoking stimuli, which allows the individual to become desensitized and reduce their fear response over time.

Behavioral therapy focuses on modifying observable behaviors rather than delving into the underlying thoughts or feelings influencing these behaviors. As systematic desensitization employs principles of classical conditioning and emphasizes behavior modification through exposure and reinforcement, it firmly aligns with the tenets of behavioral therapy. The other options, such as cognitive, humanistic, and psychodynamic therapies, focus on different aspects of psychological treatment, like thought patterns, self-actualization, or unconscious processes, which are not the primary concerns of systematic desensitization.